Schools ministry to regulate screen time for students

Schools ministry to regulate screen time for students

The Elementary and Secondary Education Ministry has begun introducing guidelines on the use of electronic devices at schools to support the implementation of a social media ban for minors under 16 which will come into force in less than three weeks.

<Schools ministry to regulate screen time for students - Society - The Jakarta Post>

Japan’s move to protect geographical brands(11)

Japan’s move to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to Korea

In doing so, I can clearly recognize the beginning and developments of the various disputes. This on-site coverage will also give me better understanding of Japanese government’s subsequent actions to protect its geographical brands in China. 

Secondly, I’ve been arranging meetings with officials at Japanese government and governmental agencies to apprehend the background of guideline issuance. Interviews with professionals at the international affairs division of the JPO and JETRO(Japan External Trade Organization) will allow me to draw an overall picture of the past, present and future of Japanese government’s stance on this controversial issue.

Japan's move to protect geographical brands(6)

Japan’s move to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to Korea

According to the Japan Patent Office(JPO), actual public notices were given or registrations were made on the basis of applications of third parties in China for 6 Japanese prefectures, Toyama Prefecture(富山県), Fukui Prefecture(福井県), Aichi Prefecture(愛知県), Yamaguchi Prefecture(山口県), Kagawa Prefecture(香川県) and Saga Prefecture(佐賀県). 

Against this background, Japanese government has accelerated its move in two folds since late 2000’s; applying for trademarks in China and coming up with guidelines for related parties in Japan. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(10)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Needless to say, voices of requesting protection of Korean geographical brands in China will be drawing greater attention as well. In this regard, Japanese government's recent initiatives have meaningful implication to Korea. 

Japan's efforts to apply for trademarks abroad and to present guidelines at home are what Korean government should learn for its sake. In other words, this project will address a message that Korean government need to benchmark the researched cases and to come up with necessary measures to prevent potential troubles with China with no delay.

After completion, my research will be published in the form of a Korean book and an English article in the journal of Korean Academy of Commodity Science & Technology in about 3 months.

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(8)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Secondly, I’ve been arranging meetings with officials at Japanese government and governmental agencies to apprehend the background of guideline issuance. 

Interviews with professionals at the international affairs division of the JPO and JETRO(Japan External Trade Organization) will allow me to draw an overall picture of the past, present and future of Japanese government’s stance on this controversial issue. 

In this regard, interviews with experts at reputable private organizations and universities including Japan Intellectual Property Association, Intellectual Property Management Center of Kyushu University and Office of Intellectual Property of Waseda University will broaden my horizon by supplying thoughtful views. 

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China(4)

Japan's reaction to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to South Korea

Long-lasted disputes and subsequent legal suits over Kagawa Prefecture(香川県)'s Sanuki Udon(讃岐うどん) between Japan's Kabashima Shouji(樺島商事) and Taiwan's Namchow Group are none other than a representative example. 

According to the Japan Patent Office(JPO), actual public notices were given or registrations were made on the basis of applications of third parties in China for 6 Japanese prefectures, Toyama Prefecture(富山県), Fukui Prefecture(福井県), Aichi Prefecture(愛知県), Yamaguchi Prefecture(山口県), Kagawa Prefecture(香川県) and Saga Prefecture(佐賀県). 

Against this background, Japanese government has accelerated its move in two folds since late 2000's; applying for trademarks in China and coming up with guidelines for related parties in Japan.

Japan's move to protect geographical brands(4)

Japan’s move to protect geographical brands in China and its implication to Korea


It is mainly because Japan’s exports of brand farm products could be adversely affected if Japanese geographical product and brand names are registered as Chinese trademarks. 

So far a total of 9 Japanese prefectures, Aomori Prefecture(靑森県), Hokkaido Prefecture(北海県), Yamanashi Prefecture(山梨県), Shiga Prefecture(滋賀県), Wakayama Prefecture(和歌山県), Fukuoka Prefecture(福岡県), Saga Prefecture(佐賀県), Nagasaki Prefecture(長崎県) and Kagoshima Prefecture (鹿児島県) have successfully taken actions to register their trademarks in China.

Though failing to react in advance, Japanese central and local governments have responded in a proper way. They did take relevant steps after disputes over misuse of Japanese geographical brands in China were reported. They actively applied for trademarks in China and introduced guidelines domestically to protect geographical brands from further damage. 

Such a move means a lot to Korean government as similar conflicts are expected to be wired between Korea and China in the near future. The concept of my project is born in this sense with special emphasis on timely and untouched research.